"Miracles happen in West Virginia" (and elsewhere, hopefully)

So I came back to Dartmouth today, through pretty crappy weather. There wasn’t any power at home this morning, but because of the new generator and dad’s genius, we had electricity for pretty much everything we needed it for. Mom and I left at about 10 to 1, and got up to Dartmouth at about 6, after stopping in White River Junction to check out a motel she was considering staying at tonight. It was called the… oh, dammit, I keep forgetting… but it might have well been called the Bates Motel. It seemed to be run by a mother and her son, and both were creepy. The lobby was dimly lit, and while we were talking to them, a guy that looked like some sort of addict came in and walked by. Mom said she’d call back to let them know if she was going to stay, and the woman’s words… well, I’ll just never forget how she said “We’d love for you to stay with us.” Entirely too creepy. So mom drove straight home. She called a little while ago and said the weather was fine, the traffic was better, and she’s happy she decided not to spend the money on a room. So that’s nice. And we have a funny story to tell.

I’ve pretty much been watching the news while unpacking. 13 miners were trapped in a coal mine in West Virginia after an explosion… Monday morning. A few hours ago, rescuers found the body of one of the men, and from the way officials were talking it seemed they truly doubted any of the other miners would be found alive. Miracles happen. I came back from getting a wrap at dining hall (South of the Border, of course) to find that 12 of the miners have been found alive. Such wonderful news. Of course, one man is still dead, and he has not yet been identified. I can’t imagine what those families are going through.

I finally mailed out my application for Bike & Build today. I’ve been putting it off, because I didn’t like the finality of sending out a $150 check, and my knee has been a serious concern. But with the new diagnosis and the strap and physical therapy (plus, I remembered today I did that tough ride through Sparrow Bush (I actually think it’s technically 2 words, as dumb as that looks to me) and down Oakland Valley Rd. last summer without a problem) I don’t think it will prevent me from making this trip. For some reason, I had been focusing on the reasons I didn’t want to make the trip: the stress of having to come up with more than $4000, not being home for most of the summer, and, of course, the knee, and I kind of forgot what an amazing opportunity this trip will be. Across the entire country: 4000 miles, 13 states and British Columbia, volunteering and making a difference in people’s lives, and embarking on this incredible journey with 34 other exciting people that, for better or for worse, I’d be sure to get to know very well, not to mention how great this will be for me physically. Now I just hope I’m not too late and there’s still a spot on the trip. Then I’ll worry about the money.

Classes start tomorrow. I’m signed up for Econ 1, Gov 6, and my seminar, Music 7, the power of music. The first two aren’t exactly what I wanted, but maybe it’ll turn out for the best. I’m excited about the music course, and I thought I wouldn’t like Gov 6 but John Smith said he enjoyed it, so we’ll see. I’ll at least keep an open mind about it, and why not? I feel like there’s more to write, especially since I didn’t write yesterday, but I’m feeling pretty tired. Not a lot of sleep last night because I was packing until about 3:30, and it’s 1:27 in the morning right now (so I guess it’s technically the 4th). Class at 10, and I don’t want to fall asleep in it, so to bed I go. It’s nice to be back… everyone was right. I really missed this place.